Some practitioners recommend aromatherapy for ADHD. Aromatherapy, an ancient treatment, dates back more than 3,000 years to the Egyptians and Greeks. Aromatherapy exerts its effects through the sense of smell or olfaction. The olfactory nerves lie in the upper part of the nose and are connected directly to the brain. This sense of smell is the most immediate of a human's senses. When smells vaporize, minute particles dissolve in the moist secretions inside the nasal passages and pass to the olfactory cells at the back of the nose. The molecules have different shapes and when they meet receptors that match, a signal is transmitted to the limbic area of the brain where it is perceived as smell. The nose can register about 10,000 types of smell sensations.

The link of smell to the limbic system is the hypothalamus at the base of the brain. The right side of the brain is believed to be associated with intuitive thought and behavior; the left side of the brain is thought be relate to logical and intellectual processes. If the two hemispheres are in harmony, aromatherapists believe the person experiences calm and well-being. Pleasant aromatic experiences promote this well-being.

Practitioners use about 300 aromatic oils, each with its own range of properties that target antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antitoxic, uplifting, and calming efforts. These essential oils are extracted from certain plants, herbs, grasses, and flowers. Some oils are expensive because the extraction process is extremely laborious. For example, it takes 60,000 rose blossoms to produce 1 ounce of rose oil. The most common use of oils is in therapeutic massage, which has the dual benefit of relaxing muscles and stimulating pleasant aromas.

Aromatherapists recommend that a parent massage the child. For the ADHD child, massage has the benefit of positive physical contact between parent and child. Recommended for babies and small children are Roman chamomile and lavender. Other useful oils for babies are mandarin, tangerine, and geranium. For children who may have angry aggressive tendencies, lavender is often effective, and ylang ylang is useful for poor self-esteem. Several other oils may be useful in ADHD, depending on the child's personality and behavior.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is an agency of the federal government charged with guarding and determining safety of consumer products and drugs. Fragrance products are sometimes marketed with claims or implications that their use will improve personal well-being in a variety of ways. These products of aromatherapy fit into this description if they are intended in the diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease and intended to affect the structure or any function of the body. Both cosmetics and drugs are under the FDA's jurisdiction, but the legal requirements may differ. A claim that a perfume's aroma makes a person feel more attractive in general does not require approval before a product is sold. However, if someone tries to market a scent suggesting effectiveness as an aid in treating a disease or condition or affect the body's structure or function, such a claim may cause the product to be regulated as a drug. The agency makes judgments on a case-by-case basis. The Federal Claims Commission regulates claims made in advertising but not on product labeling.

Bibliography:

1) Davis, P., and Waldon Saffron. 1988. Aromatherapy from A-Z. Essex, England: Daniel Publishers; U.S.

2) Wormwood, V. A. 1991. The fragrant pharmacy: a complete guide to aromatherapy and essential oils. London: Bantam.

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